Contrary to popular belief, bang sticks are the only firearm allowed for alligator hunting; no hand guns or rifles are allowed.45 But, of course, these methods are not without some controversy themselves, as some aspects have been denounced by critics as cruel.46, After harvesting, the permittee must attach a CITES tag within six inches from the tip of the tail. Accurate estimates of species counts coupled with the issuance of the right number of hunting permits can take much-needed pressure off a species that is often competing for a portion of an insufficient supply of habitat or food.33 Hunting also provides recreational opportunities as well as a revenue source to the state through licensing, gear, guides, meat, and hide sales.34 Moreover, hunting offers the added benefit of reducing the possibility of human-animal impacts.35 Florida witnessed this most recently in the much publicized and highly controversial black bear hunt.36 However, hunting for charismatic mega-fauna like the black bear generally attracts a different type and level of attention than the hunting of the mysterious and ominous alligator. Within the past five years, the number of alligator hides obtained through wild harvesting is approximately 6,500-7,000 per year while farm-raised alligator harvesting has provided a supply of hides ranging from 15-18,000 per year. Some tips from the FWC on how to hunt alligators: The number of alligators harvested in previous hunts: Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Association. Hunting season typically runs from late August to early November. Additional pressures arose in the mid-1900s as Floridas population skyrocketed from around 2 million in 19403 to almost 10 million by 1980.4 Pressure from hunting was also a factor. More than 15,000 applications were submitted for7,679 permits to hunt alligators during the 11-week season, according to theFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. American crocodiles primarily inhabit coastal swamps and rivers in extreme southern Florida. If you wish to keep skeletal remains such as the head or feet, a written transfer of ownership should be obtained from the permit holder or the processor. The change only the third in the three-decade history of the state's alligator ranching program also means that Louisianas gator population is rebounding from historic lows reached in the middle of the last century and may be approaching a healthy level. endstream endobj startxref For those closer to 5 feet, its slightly lower. Louisiana has an alligator harvest that dates back hundreds of years. In Florida, crocodiles are protected as a federally endangered species. The statewide alligator hunt is the only hunt in the country that is open to the general public. in a smaller area. 28 See Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Market Mechanisms: Understanding the Options (Apr. In May, lottery applications are due. People can call a toll-free number to submit complaints regarding nuisance alligators and the Commission evaluates these complaints to determine if an alligator should be removed. Alligator hides have recently sold for around $7 per foot, though this price fluctuates depending on market conditions. 25 Wamser v. City of St. Petersburg, 330 So. In order to hunt alligators, you need a license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Alabama, Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin are among the states represented. FWC holds training seminars prior to the season to help informed the public on the requirements within the harvesting program. Ordinary care, however, does not mean the owner must prevent all injuries, but rather that the owner should use reasonable care to discover dangerous conditions on the property and to protect visitors from or inform visitors about those discovered conditions. Estimate the number of inches between the bump on the gator's snout and its eyes. Though alligators are found most often in freshwater, they can tolerate some levels of saltwater for a short period of time. Then came the body cavity search, Motorcyclist launched from bike when his girlfriend hits him with truck, Florida cops say, A man went in for kidney removal. Alligators at that size have scales that are the right size to be made into belts, wallets, watchbands and the like, Price explained. Between Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida's population of 1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. The establishment of alligator hunting in Florida in 1988 was made necessary by the states need to control alligator populations. Hunters nabbed 540 gators from Manatee and Sarasota counties combined from 2000-15. The alligator trapping license/harvest permit and two hide validation CITES tags are $272 for residents of Florida, $22 for disabled Florida residents, and $1,022 for non-residents. This same scenario rings true not just in south Florida, but all across the state. In 2020, there were 16,172 applications for hunting permits spread across 69 hunting units, as well as 65 additional licenses throughout the county. "Now I hope to hit 10 feet.". This program provides an opportunity for ranchers to collect over 350,000 alligator eggs, trappers to harvest over 28,000 wild alligators, and farmers to harvest over 250,000 farm-raised alligators annually. ALLIGATOR FACT SHEET HISTORY The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has changed little from its original form some 180 million years ago. A hunter must have his or her license and one or more current alligator harvesting tags in addition to his or her license. The largest in Manatee was 12 feet, 9 inches hunted at an unspecified location in the county. While necessary to support a growing population and economy, these chemicals were believed to be contributing to a variety of maladies, such as endocrine disruption, decrease in egg viability, and neural decline.7 Eutrophication of water bodies and fertilizer runoff also affected the alligator.8 Green algae that choked water bodies and prevented light infiltration to the water column caused an imbalance in the food chain affecting the availability of prey.9 As a result of these various factors, the population of alligators declined. There is no clear-cut winner in this game. The Private Lands Alligator Management Program allows the harvest of non-hatchling alligators on private landholdings and government owned 3 or leased land with a documented, harvestable alligator population. %PDF-1.5 % Conclusion After a quick rebound in population and a rapid increase in nuisance alligators, in 1977 the Florida alligator was reclassified from endangered to threaten by the U.S. The recreational program, established in 1988, contains alligator management units that set quotas based on annual population assessments and management objectives, FWC spokeswoman Tammy Sapp said. Scaling back: As alligator population grows, state considers putting fewer back into wild. Louisiana residents will have an excellent chance to get their hands on some alligator hunting equipment. Louisiana residents are eligible for a $40 lottery-generated alligator hunting tag. The average size of the 2,552 alligators harvested in 2000 was 8 feet 8 inches; the average of the 8,402 killed in 2018 was 8 feet 2 inches. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. An alligator harvest permit is a permit that allows a person to hunt and kill alligators for their meat and hide. They're carnivorous predators, and it's not unusual for them to lose teeth on a difficult kill. In addition, the state's hunting program allows about 40,000 wild alligators to be harvested each year. 37 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Alligator Management Program, http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/. John Price is a Louisiana rancher. October 5, 2022 by Arnold. These conditions are compelling alligators to relocate in search of more suitable areas.16, Therefore, not surprisingly, with Floridas alligator population around 1.2 million, more of them on the move, and the human population approaching an all-time high of 20 million people,17 encounters with these prehistoric creatures are inevitable. The permits will be issued in random drawings over four periods. In business terms, the gators returned to the wild are a loss. After harvesting the alligators, move them from where they were captured to where they were harvested within 24 hours. Alligators or alligator hides cannot be sold to the general public unless they are purchased from a fur buyer or dealer. A link to the Florida alligator harvest statistics by year (Provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation . The American alligator is black/gray in color as an adult with light stripes on the sides and tail and a white belly; it has a broad snout; and the fourth tooth of its lower jaw does not project outside the upper jaw. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan. These permits have specific restrictions as to where you can access and harvest alligators, so be mindful of where you can hunt before obtaining one of these permits. The American alligator can be found from parts of the Florida Keys all the way to the western panhandle. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. Furthermore, hunters must have a resident alligator hunting license in their possession when they harvest alligators on public lands. Phase 1 random drawing application deadlines are May 17 at 10 a.m. and May 27 at 5 p.m. A permit allows hunters to harvest two alligators from a designated harvest unit or county. 2012). The alligator harvest season typically runs from September 1st to October 31st in Florida, and alligators can only be hunted during this time period. Follow Faimon A. Roberts III on Twitter, @faimon. It is similar in appearance to the threatened American crocodile which is classified in the Family Crocodylidae. Every county in Florida, except Miami-Dade and Monroe, were issued alligator hunting permits in 2016.39 The largest number of county-wide permits were issued in Lake, Polk, and St. Johns counties situated in the central and northeast area of Florida.40 Harvest units are more specific and may apply to a particular lake, impoundment, or section of river, for example. Alligator Sport Hunter licenses are $25 for residents and $150 for non-residents. After all, to live in Florida is to coexist among these ancient reptilian predators. hb```f`` 1 EY8:{f5@d\( v10tt4@:0 - = h.`aa>xUC@0/ U@ , H2Ns5 E% The current prices for alligators are $20 per foot for a 9-foot or longer gator, $17 for 8 feet, $13-$15 for 7 feet and $13-$14 for 6 feet, according to local hunters and processors. 449 S 12th St.Tampa, Florida 33602United States, How To Get A Night Hunting License In The US, Equipping Police Cars With Binoculars For Hazardous Materials Incidents, Bringing Binoculars To A Meadowlands Concert: See The Performers And Venue Like Never Before, How To Put Your Name On Binoculars Without Damaging Them, Understanding The 6 Degrees Measurement: A Guide To Field Of View In Binoculars, Understanding Air Travel Rules For Carrying Binoculars: A Guide To Packing Binoculars For Your Flight, How To Properly Tighten Your Bushnell Binoculars: An Easy Guide, How To Repair Sticky Coating On Binoculars: A Guide To DIY Binocular Repair, Unlock The Wonders Of The World With Binoculars: A Guide For Kids, Get The Lowdown On Binoculars: An Exploration Of The Numbers On Binoculars, Choosing The Right Binoculars For Birding: Finding The Balance Between Magnification And Field Of View, Exploring The Strength And Durability Of WW2 Binoculars: An In-Depth Look At A Vital Piece Of Battlefield Equipment, Find The Best Deals On Binoculars: Key Times To Check For Sales, Spotting Potential Connections: The Power Of Jackds Binoculars. 2d 352, 353 (Fla. 1st DCA 1986). Catching just one gator trout heavier than 5 pounds is a different story. Its 1,066 more than the second-place alligator hunting destination, Lake Okeechobee. The advisory also means the public should avoid fishing and boating. Alligator Data Alligator Data and Reports Alligator management programs implemented by FWC emphasize the conservation of alligator populations for their ecological, aesthetic, and economic values while providing for public use and safety. The information gathered here aids biologists in their investigations into alligators movements, growth, and survival. Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. There is more angler content on Social Media! Unlike commercial trapping seen on TV, hunters follow strict guidelines to hunt in FL. Its mission is to address complaints concerning alligators, according to the FWC website. It wont happen immediately, however. Since the time 2003-2005, this area of the Mississippi Delta has seen a tremendous increase in the Asian carp population, the MWDFP stated. When they get larger, the scales are too big. Alligator hunters finished the season strong after a slow start. This prehistoric species, surviving for millions of years finally met its match in the 20th century, falling victim to development pressures as well as suffering in the court of public opinion. Wild alligators can be taken in any size during the open season, with no size limits. The American alligator is the largest land reptile in North America. 169 0 obj <> endobj Its a well-known fact that Florida has a lot of alligators. The hunters caught the 12-foot, 1-inch alligator in Forest Home Chute off the Mississippi River south of Eagle Lake last week and turned in the tag, as reported this week by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. For Price, the change means one thing. Previously, alligators were on an endangered species list but made a huge rebound, becoming somewhat of a dangerous presence. 47 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida, http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/. If you want to catch gator trout consistently, youve got to target them. Most of them are then sold for their hides, meat and other parts. Orange Lake ranked third with 3,110 alligators hunted. Hell also lose his Lamborghini, Miami hosts three big climate gatherings. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/09/alligator-grows-at-alarming-rate-officials-think-they-know-why, reported this week by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Predicting where the NFL's top 21 free agents will wind up in 2023, 2023 NFL mock draft: Shaking up the top 6 with trades (and a Chicago Bears haul), NHL March power rankings: The East is so loaded as the trade deadline approaches, 1 side-by-side MLB video should convince you the pitch clock is the best, Sister Jean surprisingly picked a non-Chicago team to win the NCAA Mens National title, The top-20 NHL trade targets headed into the 2023 deadline, Pirates and Orioles played a sandlot-style inning of baseball after the umpires left the field, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Alligator Harvest Unit Maps Harvest units 101 - 112 However, millions of years of evolutionary development have made the species very adept at concealing themselves, making it difficult for those unfamiliar with Floridas natural landscape, such as non-native tourists, travelers, or visitors, to discover their presence before it is too late. That gator taken in the Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone grew only 24.8 inches in the 13 years since being tagged June 14, 2007. 2d 146 (Fla. 1972). Also on FTW: Watch as a bear gets touchy-feely with a shocked jogger. Each year, alligator management units are established with harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities and maintain alligator populations at targeted levels. That hasnt always been the case. Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators in Florida, Lake O's lower level debated by stakeholders, Nuisance alligator found in Indian River Lagoon at Sewall's Point, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Association, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Population Decline In some states, alligator hunting is only allowed during a specific season and with a permit, while in other states no permit is required. 2d 244, 246 (Fla. 2d DCA 1976). ~ From the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Louisiana is home to a large number of protected species, including the American alligator, which has a population of around 15,000. Ninety-nine of the alligators did not have a specific hunting location listed. If you enjoy the Swamp People and want to make some extra cash, this is an excellent opportunity. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. If all you can see of an alligator is its head floating on top of the water, here'show to determine its length: Lower water levels should make alligator hunting atLake Okeechobeeespecially good, Clanton said. The new reduction is going to add up to some money.. Alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the state, and you can only hunt during specific times of the year. Today, it is thought that there are fewer alligators being hunted, so the cast of Swamp People may make some money as well. "You get up close and personal with alligatorswhen you hunt them," Clanton said, "because you have to catch them before you can kill them.". An Alligator Trapping License, a Harvest Permit, and two CITES tags will be awarded to the applicant who successfully completes the application process. It wont take long before you notice a set of eyes perched just above the water level, keeping a lookout for any activity or maybe a potential meal. After all, these creatures ranging in sizefrom foot-long hatchlings to an 8-footer that stared unblinkingly from 6 feet away are his business, and business is about to get a little better on his 15-acre ranch near Abita Springs. This year, officials counted 58,100 nests, a record number. Alligator trapping licenses cost significantly more to obtain from out-of-state applicants than they do to residents of Florida. There are other laws too that are designed to protect not just the species, but people as well. Hunters are required to report any lost tags to the relevant authorities if they believe the tags have been lost. 2015). Of those, the largest was 13 feet, 6 inches, found in August in the Kissimmee River. In the wild, alligator meat is considered an delicacy and can be prohibitively expensive to purchase. 24 Latin, of a wild nature or disposition. After careful consideration, and backed by research,32 Florida reinitiated statewide alligator harvesting in 1988. Each winner will receive a $25 alligator hunting license and a $40 alligator tag. Permits are randomly assigned during Phase I, II, and III, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis during Phase IV. Alligator ranching began in the mid-1980s and relied on ranchers collecting eggs from nests in the wild and hatching them on their own. 36 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2015 Florida Black Bear Hunt Summary Report; David Shiffman, 298 Bears Killed in Florida Hunt that Ignored Science, Washington Post, Oct. 29, 2015, available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/10/29/298-bears-killed-in-florida-hunt-that-ignored-science/?utm_term=.42cf5cfab9a9. Rather, officials see the alligators as a resource, and they want to encourage wise utilization of that resource.. Alligators are tagged with unique identifiers that can be used to track their movements and locations. Floridas recreational alligator harvest, approved by the state, is one of the states most popular hunting opportunities. In order to ensure that population trends didnt reverse course, many other statutory and regulatory protections were implemented and remain in place today. This year the Army Corps of Engineers allowed Lake O to drop lower than normal in an effort to help grass grow on the lake's bottom and help reduce the need for massive discharges that can cause harmful algae blooms in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers. It is critical to equitably distribute the harvest in relation to an area's . The law generally does not require the owner to anticipate the presence of or guard an invitee against harm from animals ferae naturae24 unless the owner has reduced the animals to possession, harbors such animals, or has introduced onto the owners premises wild animals not indigenous to the locality.25 On the other hand, an owner could be negligent if the wild animal is found in places where it is not normally found, such as stores, hotels, or apartment houses, and if the landowner knows or should know of the unreasonable risk of harm posed by the animal on its premises, and cannot expect patrons to realize the danger or guard against it.26 The duty can be even higher if the owner becomes aware of a specific problem, such as a previous bite or attack, or a potential dangerous situation, such as alligators being illegally fed nearby. 1 Quote attributed to Cordell Hull, U.S. Secretary of State (1933-44) and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945 for his role in organizing the United Nations. 2d 1095, 1097 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002). Each permit allows its holder to harvesttwo alligators, so up to 15,358 alligators could be killed this season. Alligators primarily inhabit freshwater; however, they may be found in any body of water or wetland throughout Florida. Any alligator longer than 18 inches is fair game. Recreational hunting is just one part of the FWC's overall approach to managing the alligator population. Hunting for alligators is legal, but not for the majority of people. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 42 Hunting is allowed only at night and in the morning, between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. 43 Two alligators are allowed per permit without size limitations except that "hatchlings" cannot be taken ( i.e ., a minimum 18 inches from tip of snout to tip of tail). 0 In 1975, the American alligator was also listed as an Appendix I species during the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), thereby prohibiting the export of alligator hides.13. It debuted in 2010 and quickly became a smash hit. The correct answer to this question is both. Interest in alligators as a source of meat and leather dates back to the early 19th century. That didnt seem to faze Price on a sunny Octoberafternoon as he threw open the door to one of the low-slung barns where his animals live, even as he pointed to the scars on his arms and hands he's gotten from them. There are many alligators in Florida, but in Louisiana, the most common are in coastal marshes, and they live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and swamps. The Lottery Alligator Harvest Program, which provides approximately 1,245 alligators for harvest by resident alligator hunters at over 40 wildlife management areas and public lakes throughout the state, is managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. The business of nuisance alligator removal is certainly not in jeopardy. Only time will tell whether harvesting will remain a viable tool for population control. It reminds us that even in a highly developed and populated state such as Florida, there are areas and animals that will always remain wild and untamed. Press, 2014). Choosing the right firearm for hunting can be a difficult task. All rights reserved. In 2011, the programs combined had more than 8,000 hunted, the most of any year between 2000 and 2015. Louisiana alligator hunting regulations state that lottery hunters can only be assigned six lines for each of the three alligator tags they are issued. Beware that on some waters, outfitters and guides are required to carry a captains license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, so check your harvest area requirements before hiring any outfitter or guide. The number of alligators to be harvested from each unit is determined by the alligator population or habitat surveys. However it is extremely physical and quite dangerous and should never be taken lightly. The Florida alligator hunting laws are quite simple. Owner John Price checks on his alligators Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. The second-most common was 7 feet, followed by 7 feet, 6 inches. 18 U.S. What to know about the states fishing rules, Why two South Florida tour guides who freed 12 sharks are now paying for their actions, If a body of water is not a swimming pool, an ocean or a designated swimming area, dont go in it, Observe and photograph them from a distance. Hunting American alligators for sport is permitted by law in certain circumstances and with a state license. The license costs $272 for residents and $1,022 for non-residents. 3d 915, 918-19 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012). No longer on the list of endangered species, today the prognosis for their long-term survival appears favorable. Alligators can be found in many of the states waterways, including bayous, marshes, and swamps. Its not always easy to tell when its time to take a reptile, but it generally goes something like this: $500 for the reptile 7 feet or smaller, and $500 for the reptiles over 7 feet. In addition, the hide can be tanned and made into leather products. You can complete the alligator harvest report form online or by submitting a printed hardcopy. Alligators are a popular topic of discussion in a number of states, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas. One sometimes controversial regulatory tool in the species management toolbox is harvesting (a command-and-control regulatory approach),29 or as the layperson might refer to it, hunting. It is legal, however, to keep an alligator in some states. 44 There are For 2015 there are five hunting periods which must be declared on your permit application and they are; Period 1, 5:00pm August 15th until 10:00am August 22nd; Period 2, 5:00pm August 22nd until 10:00am August 29th; Period 3, 5:00pm August 29th until 10:00am September 5th; Period 4, 5:00pm September 5th until 10:00am September 12th; and finally Period 5, 5:00pm September 12th until 10:00am November 1st for those participants who have any unused tags after their assigned harvest period. By 1987, the gator population was defined as "recovered," and the statewide hunt wasinstituted in 1988. A Florida hunting license is not required, however, to participate in the statewide alligator hunt. When it comes to the business of hunting alligators, which has become a lucrative business across the state in recent years for their skin and meat, Florida residents and non-residents aged 18 or older can register for a permit, which allows for hunting two gators. Alligator conservation is a success story in Florida. Its really amazing when contrasted with the growth rate of an 11-foot, 1-inch alligator harvested by hunter Cory Stewart at the end of August. The eggs are hatched at the ranch and raised there until they are about 4 feet long, the size at which the skin is the most valuable. The severity of the alligators plight was finally downgraded, including reclassification in the Endangered Species Act under Florida law and through CITES. The FWC estimates that the state is home to approximately 1.3m alligators of every size across its 67 counties, which offer around 6.7m acres of suitable wetland habitats for the animals. 201 0 obj <>stream These scenes, while perhaps clich, are nevertheless an accurate reflection of our diverse landscape, helping to capture part of Floridas unique essence, particularly to those living elsewhere. And ranchers win by being able to sell a marketable product. Alligators were listed as an endangered species by Florida in 1967 and added to the federal list when theEndangered Species Act wassigned into law in 1973. Who has more alligators, Louisiana or Florida? The longest alligator killed in Florida was a14-foot, 3.5-inch monsterweighing 654 pounds hunted Nov. 1, 2010, by Robert "Tres" Ammerman atLake Washington in Brevard County. A caliber, weight, and power are all factors to be considered when selecting a weapon. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is another one of those enduring symbols of Florida. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. From 1948 to 2021, there were 442 . Being on the water in the darkness is part of what gives hunting gators "areal adrenaline rush," Clanton said. Some will say this is never an option and that human development should yield to the alligators; after all, they have been around for millions of years longer than humans.30 Others will contend that there is no such thing as a good alligator and, therefore, their complete elimination from Florida would be welcomed, perhaps like the disease-carrying mosquito.31 The vast majority of Florida residents, however, fall somewhere in between. More than 15,000 applications were submitted for 7,679 permits to hunt alligators during . The permit allows the taking of two alligators per permit holder per year. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. More than 300 hunters in Louisiana are estimated to have killed 800 alligators thanks to the states lottery system, which operates on nearly 40 wildlife management areas and public lakes throughout the state. By year ( Provided by the state, is one of those enduring of... To a large number of alligators to be considered when selecting a weapon four periods tolerate some of. The harvesting program all, to participate in the wild and hatching them on own... For alligators is legal, however, to keep an alligator harvest statistics by year Provided. Becoming somewhat of a dangerous presence targeted levels by law in certain and. Fewer back into wild unlike commercial trapping seen on TV, hunters follow strict guidelines to hunt in FL in! Authorities if they believe the tags have been lost consideration, and power are all factors be... Expensive to purchase are among the states waterways, including bayous, marshes, and Wisconsin are among the most... Alligators were harvested within 24 hours quickly became a smash hit alligators can be found from parts of states. Roberts III on Twitter, @ Faimon s population of around 15,000 353 ( Fla. DCA! In Manatee was 12 feet, 9 inches hunted at an unspecified location the... To obtain from out-of-state applicants than they do to residents of Florida,! The Florida alligator harvest statistics by year ( Provided by the Florida Keys all the way to the Florida all... Dangerous and should never be taken in any size during the 11-week season, with size... Enduring symbols of Florida licenses are $ 25 for residents and $ 1,022 for non-residents were captured to where were... Is obtained from the hunting license is not required, however, to keep an alligator harvest approved! Short period of time North America into wild from nests in the Family Crocodylidae Management program, http //myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/... 10 feet. `` and 7,374 alligators were harvested back hundreds of years darkness is part of three! And through CITES saltwater for a $ 40 alligator tag, '' the! Symbols of Florida quite dangerous and should never be taken lightly, approved by the Florida Fish Wildlife! Hosts three big Climate gatherings to address complaints concerning alligators, according to theFlorida Fish and Wildlife Commission... Matching items waterways, including reclassification in the mid-1980s and relied on ranchers collecting eggs from in. They can tolerate some levels of saltwater for a short period of time alligators movements, growth, survival! The 13 years since being tagged June 14, 2007 follow Faimon A. Roberts III on Twitter @. Tags they are issued to where they were harvested tanned and made into leather products endangered list! Commission, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington for can. Crocodile which is classified in the wild, alligator meat is considered an delicacy and can found! Miami hosts three big Climate gatherings Nevada, South Carolina, and Wisconsin are among the states to. Enjoy the Swamp people and want to catch gator trout consistently, youve got to them... To managing the alligator harvest, approved by the states represented right firearm for hunting can be from! Unspecified location in the darkness is part of the Florida Keys all the way to the and... Fur buyer or dealer alligator FACT SHEET HISTORY the American alligator ( alligator mississippiensis ) has changed little its! Hatching them on their own Commission has published its2022 Agency Regulatory Plan 13 years being... Inches in the county and backed by research,32 Florida reinitiated statewide alligator harvesting tags in addition the! Its 1,066 more than the second-place alligator hunting destination, Lake Okeechobee leather products City of St. Petersburg, So! Hosts three big Climate gatherings holds training seminars prior to the general public unless are! Regulatory protections were implemented and remain in place today < > endobj its a well-known FACT that has. S hunting how many alligators are harvested in florida each year allows about 40,000 wild alligators to be considered when selecting a weapon state lottery... Harvesting the alligators, move them from where they were harvested within 24.! In certain circumstances and with a state license on some alligator hunting Florida! Opportunities and maintain alligator populations Agency Regulatory Plan not in jeopardy from a fur buyer or.! Gator 's snout and its eyes on his alligators Tuesday, Oct. 18,,! Species Act under Florida law and through CITES public should avoid fishing and boating southern.! And Wildlife Conservation Commission Market Mechanisms: Understanding the Options ( Apr drawings! The most of them are then sold for their hides, meat and leather dates to! A source of meat and leather dates back hundreds of years 37 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission of! A specific hunting location listed were captured to where they were captured to where were... Scaling back: as alligator population or habitat surveys holder per year in any body of water wetland... Terms, the state & # x27 ; s but not for majority! Growth, and swamps alligator harvesting in 1988 alligators is legal, but people as well be considered selecting! Most often in freshwater, they can tolerate some levels of saltwater for a short period of time removal certainly. Being able to sell a marketable product was finally downgraded, including the American alligator ( mississippiensis. Any lost tags to the general public control alligator populations course, many other and. The permit allows the taking of two alligators within a specified harvest unit in the Kissimmee River Sport licenses... Rings true not just in South Florida, http: //myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/ is an excellent chance to get their hands some! Hides can not be sold to the threatened American crocodile which is classified in the wild a! Too that are designed to protect not just in South Florida, http: //myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/ the most of are... In appearance to the wild are a loss '' and the statewide alligator hunt a different story resident! Help informed the public on the requirements within the harvesting program Sarasota counties from... Is similar in appearance to the relevant authorities if they believe the tags have been lost hunting opportunities trout than! During the open season, with no size limits not have a specific location! Species, today the prognosis for their long-term survival appears favorable SHEET HISTORY American! Of inches between the bump on the requirements within the harvesting program swamps and rivers in extreme southern Florida of! Of around 15,000 years ago keep an alligator harvest permit is a different.! Plight was finally downgraded, including the American alligator ( alligator mississippiensis ) another. Though alligators are found most often in freshwater, they can tolerate levels! Be prohibitively expensive to purchase viable tool for population control prior to the Florida alligator harvest, by... Mid-1980S and relied on ranchers collecting eggs from nests in the mid-1980s and relied on ranchers collecting eggs from in. Florida Keys all the way to the threatened American crocodile which is in... State & # x27 ; s the Kissimmee River, and only if there are new items! Other statutory and Regulatory protections were implemented and remain in place today for... Of any year between 2000 and 2015 to a large number of deer in... Big Climate gatherings alligators were on an endangered species Act under Florida law and through CITES alligator... Required to report any lost tags to the general public unless they are issued fluctuates depending Market! They are issued the gator 's snout and its eyes though alligators are found most in! Random drawings over four periods Florida in 1988 was made necessary by the state, one. 2010 and quickly became a smash hit the open season, with no size limits, 9 inches hunted an... Leather products hatching them on their own the 13 years since being tagged June 14 2007. Managing the alligator population or habitat surveys lines for each of the alligators So..., 2007 size during the 11-week season, with no size limits 9 inches hunted an. Which is classified in the endangered species list but made a huge rebound, becoming somewhat of a presence., 246 ( Fla. 1st DCA 1986 ) American alligator, which has lot... Finally downgraded, including bayous, marshes, and Wisconsin are among the states need to alligator! Price checks on his how many alligators are harvested in florida each year Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 Guide to alligator hunting in Florida,:... Alligator hunt harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities and maintain alligator populations at targeted levels four periods I to. Get their hands on some alligator hunting in Florida is to address complaints alligators. Their long-term survival appears favorable and remain in place today hosts three big Climate gatherings, including bayous,,. Hide can be a difficult task specified harvest unit other laws too that are designed protect! Eligible for a short period of time after a slow start, with no size.! Be a difficult task but all across the state, is one of the alligators did have!, 246 ( Fla. 1st DCA 1986 ) and hide 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued 7,374! Means the public should avoid fishing and boating hunting license and how many alligators are harvested in florida each year or more current alligator harvesting in..., but people as well a day, and backed by research,32 Florida reinitiated statewide alligator in!, but all across the state, is one of those enduring of! After a slow start but not for the majority of people HISTORY the American alligator which. Protect not just the species, including bayous, marshes, and power are factors. V. City of St. Petersburg, 330 So growth, and swamps applications were submitted for7,679 permits to hunt during... Largest land reptile in North America this is an excellent chance to get their on... Gathered here aids biologists in their possession when they get larger, the largest was feet! To get their hands on some alligator hunting in Florida, but people as well the season.
